We Were the Mulvaneys

Judd is the youngest of the four Mulvaney children - three boys and a girl - on their parents’ lush farm in upstate New York. In his childhood, Judd is swept along by the sheer energy of the Mulvaneys and their wealth of beloved family stories. But now, 30 years old, Judd looks back through his memories to tell the secrets that eventually ripped apart the fabric of his storybook family.

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

If this story had ended half way through the book it would have been a classic. Unfortunately, it went on and on. It's a sad story of how a family reacts to a young girl's rape and how the family is torn apart from the rape due to selfishness and inability to understand that a child should be helped more than an adult who chooses to drink his life away.

Would you be willing to try another book from Joyce Carol Oates? Why or why not?

Not for a while. Just don't want to listen to a book that keeps going when it should have ended.

Have you listened to any of Scott Shina’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I have not listened to any of Scott Shina's performances before but thought he did very well with this book.

Ulysses

Ulysses is regarded by many as the single most important novel of the 20th century. It tells the story of one day in Dublin, June 16th 1904, largely through the eyes of Stephen Dedalus (Joyce's alter ego from Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man) and Leopold Bloom, an advertising salesman. Both begin a normal day, and both set off on a journey around the streets of Dublin, which eventually brings them into contact with one another.

I doubt it. Only if forced to and you had a noose nearby so I could choose to end it soon one way or another.

Which character – as performed by Jim Norton – was your favorite?

None

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

Disappointment-I have been trying to listen to as many classic books as I can and usually find myself enjoying them very much. I bought this book on recommendation from Audible that it is to become a classic. It may be the last time I ever take in consideration one of their recommendations.

Any additional comments?

If you like Robin Williams stand up comedian acts this book is for you. I, however, have never been a fan of Robin Williams stand up acts. Movies are a different story. Anyway, that’s what this book reminds me of; a lot of verbiage going nowhere. I can’t count how many times James Joyce list things and they really don’t add anything to the book but it’s done several times. I’ve listened up to Chapter 18 but am contemplating climbing an electric pole and licking the wires if I have to listen to any more. It seems to me to be a story about a man who either has had sexual relations with women or is dreaming about it. I’m not really sure where it’s going with this but it’s a constant repetitive feature of the book. However, occasionally they throw something in about Jews. Still I’m not sure where it’s going. List, Jews and sexual relations on a constant banner that just haven’t added up to anything in this book and by chapter 18 out of 25 you would think there would be some indication or clue that you might want to hold onto to keep going with this book but for me there is nothing.

Presumed Innocent

Presumed Innocent brings to life our worst nightmare: that of an ordinary citizen facing conviction for the most terrible of crimes. Prosecutor Rusty Sabich is transformed from accuser to accused when he is handed an explosive case - that of the brutal murder of a woman who happens to be his former lover.

The Witness

Daughter of a cold, controlling mother and an anonymous donor, studious, obedient Elizabeth finally let loose one night, drinking too much at a nightclub and allowing a strange man’s seductive Russian accent to lure her to a house on Lake Shore Drive. The events that followed changed her life forever. Twelve years later, the woman now known as Abigail Lowery lives alone on the outskirts of a small town in the Ozarks. A freelance programmer, she works at home designing sophisticated security systems.

In the beginning this book started out very good and the story would have been great but I'm really getting tired of the sex scenes in these books. I'm not a prude but just really don't care to hear about anyone's sex life...and to tell you the truth with all these books once they hit the sex scenes they are all the same. I'm beginning to think they are all the same author under different pseudonyms. Whatever happened to leaving particular things up to one's imagination?

However, I love the story line of the book and except for the sex scene would have enjoyed the book immensely.

Would you be willing to try another book from Nora Roberts? Why or why not?

I'm not really sure at this time.

Which character – as performed by Julia Whelan – was your favorite?

Liz...Abigail

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

A Dog's Purpose: A Novel for Humans

After a tragically short life as a stray mutt, Bailey is surprised to find himself reborn as a rambunctious golden-haired puppy. Bailey's search for his new life's meaning leads him into the loving arms of eight-year-old Ethan. During their countless adventures, Bailey joyously discovers how to be a good dog. But this life as a beloved family pet is not the end of Bailey's journey. Reborn as a puppy yet again, Bailey wonders, will he ever find his purpose?

Ghost Road Blues: The Pine Deep Trilogy, Book 1

The cozy little town of Pine Deep buried the horrors of its past a long time ago. Thirty years have gone by since the darkness descended and the Black Harvest began, a time when a serial killer sheared a bloody swath through the quiet Pennsylvania village. The evil that once coursed through Pine Deep has been replaced by cheerful tourists getting ready to enjoy the country’s largest Halloween celebration in what is now called “The Spookiest Town in America.”

If you could sum up Ghost Road Blues in three words, what would they be?

I loved this book but not the narration. I have to say I might be partial as it takes place in the area in which I grew up. I thought the story was refreshingly scary and done well. It was not a rip-off of some other scary book. It was original. can't wait to read the second and third.

What did you like best about this story?

That it was a good horror story

How did the narrator detract from the book?

His voices of women and the one boy were simply awful.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Devil's Bride: A Cynster Novel

Governess Honoria Wetherby values her independence. She would rather travel the world than marry and give some man control of her life. Then, one stormy evening, fate changes all her plans. She stumbles upon a mortally wounded young man in the woods. When the stranger dies, she is trapped in a cabin with his body and with his newly arrived cousin, Devil, whom she soon learns is aptly named.

This is a book for some quick fun but by no means what I would call good literature. The story isn't very good and at points gets quite redundant. The sex scenes also don't really do much to enhance the story either. It's not what I would call boring, though, and is good for a quick read.

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